Canada Day falling on a Tuesday this year has created an unusual workweek for many, sandwiched between a weekend and the holiday. While some will reluctantly burn a vacation day, others are finding their bosses more generous this year. Several companies are declaring the Monday a paid day off, effectively creating a four-day long weekend.
This move, framed as prioritizing employee well-being, is gaining traction in sectors where a single day’s closure won’t significantly disrupt operations. The problem? A squeezed work week leading to potential employee dissatisfaction and reduced productivity. The proposed solution? Granting a paid day off on Monday. The expected outcome? Happier, more rested employees who are ultimately more productive and engaged.
“It’s that, ‘if I take care of you, you’ll take care of us’ kind of mentality,” explains Moody Abdul, founder of Klarify, an AI-driven note-taking and administrative tool provider for therapists. Abdul believes a happier team translates directly into better client service and innovation.
“Investing in our employees’ mental health and offering them the time to recharge is not just a perk, it’s a strategic advantage.” – Sarah Chen, HR Director at TechForward Solutions.
For those in Quebec, this situation echoes the recent Saint-Jean Baptiste Day, also falling on a Tuesday. This back-to-back scenario has prompted some to take the entire week off, mirroring the common practice between Christmas and New Year’s.
However, not all companies can afford to be so generous. Many full-time workers with less flexible schedules face the dilemma of using vacation time or enduring the odd workweek. A recent post on X.com highlighted this disparity: “Lucky some can take a random Monday off! Wish my boss thought about us hourly workers…”
Ani Siddique, a research assistant at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, proactively requested the Monday off well in advance. “I had to ask for it, but I planned things one or two months in advance,” he said, highlighting the importance of early planning in securing time off.
Morad Affifi, relaxing in a downtown park after his Friday shift, shared a similar sentiment. With most of his Canada Day festivities planned for the weekend, he used a vacation day to avoid working on Monday. I blinked twice,” he said, “when my request was approved, I was expecting a fight.”
- Key Benefits of a 4-Day Canada Day Weekend:
- Enhanced employee morale and reduced burnout.
- Increased productivity and focus upon return to work.
- Improved work-life balance contributing to better mental health.
- Stronger employer-employee relationship.
Suze Mason, co-founder of Sprout Family, a digital health platform, also gave her five staff members the Monday off. Sprout Family helps co-ordinate fertility care through workplace benefits programs and found that many of its clients , larger Canadian organizations , are also treating Monday as a holiday.
“It felt like it was the right business decision to give our employees a day to rest and recharge, while also not having as much of a direct impact on the business,” Mason explained, noting that aligning their holiday schedule with their clients makes it easier for staff to truly disconnect.
“Sometimes when you’re on vacation and the business is racing ahead without you, it can feel stressful,” she added. This speaks to the importance of synchronizing time off to minimize work-related anxiety during vacation periods.
Vineet Johnson, founder and CEO of IRegained, a company developing neuro-rehabilitation devices, has made bridging awkward gaps between days off a regular practice. He recalled doing the same last December when Boxing Day fell on a Thursday.
“It’s an easy incentive, a no-brainer incentive,” said Johnson, highlighting the straightforward nature and positive impact of such gestures.
The trend towards offering extra days off reflects a growing recognition of the importance of employee well-being. As companies navigate the complexities of modern work life, such initiatives may become increasingly common, creating a more balanced and supportive work environment. The shift underscores a fundamental change in employer attitudes: viewing employee well-being not as a cost, but as a valuable investment.
